Football Video & Report: Oct. 2

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule met with members of the media to preview Saturday’s game against Michigan State. He discussed the wind and how it could affect the game.
 
“It’s part of being here,” he said. “It’s part of being in the region of the country we’re in. We practice outside in the spring. It’s 32 degrees, it’s 24 degrees and we’re outside throwing in the ice and snow. Doesn’t affect us. That’s why quarterbacks with big hands that can control the ball and spin the ball through the wind matter. I’m not concerned. You have to take it into account with the kicking game. The wind comes out of the south endzone. I believe it’s coming southwest this game, so it’ll be a factor. Everything you do, you might make some different decisions than you normally would. The good news is that both teams have to play with it at their back and in the front. We had the Maryland game two years ago and the Rutgers game that were really, really windy that affected the passing game. It was windy at times during Akron too, so we’ll be prepared.”

Rhule talked about linebackers Javin Wright and Vincent Shavers Jr.

“Javin and V9 are running to hit guys, they’re physical, they like to play, they like to mix it up, they like to get off blocks, they both can cover, they both can blitz. Obviously the impact of the quarterback run game this week adds another ball carrier, adds another gap. You need linebackers who can run and I think both guys have played well for us.”

He talked about the attitude of the team after the loss to Michigan two weeks ago.

“They lost the game by three points. They worked hard. They had a good attitude. They played a Big Ten game. They lost by three. They showed up and showed they were a resilient group, a gritty group. They’ve ignored the results and seen what they can improve. I really like the standpoint from that standpoint. We’re facing a team that went through the same thing we went through. They lost a ball game, had a bye week. It’ll be a heck of a football game.”

Kickoff between the Huskers and the Spartans at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, is set for 3 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on FS1. The game can also be heard across the Huskers Radio Network.